"
"I move that the list be adopted as read," Carl Metz suggests.
"I second the motion," says Professor Talbot.
Every committeeman votes for the adoption of the list.
The names are written on slips of paper and placed in a hat. As each
committeeman passes the table he draws a slip.
"You have all signified your willingness to carry out the terms of the
edict of annihilation," the chairman explains. "It now remains for you
to redeem your pledges. If there is one of you who regrets the step he
has taken it is not too late to withdraw."
There is profound silence, and the men stand immovable.
"Two months from to-day then, October 13th, our Syndicate of
Annihilation will declare its dividend; this will require the summary
taking off of the Forty Transgressors and our self-immolation." Chadwick
pronounces these words slowly, impressively:
"We will separate to-night never to meet again in this life.
"If we are true to our purpose we will not have died in vain." Without
formal partings the men leave the store-house.
Nevins is the last to depart; he draws the remaining slip. It bears the
name of "James Golding, Bond King; capital, $400,000,000; occupation,
United States Treasury Looter."
BOOK III.
The Syndicate Declares a Dividend.
CHAPTER XIV.
BIRTH OF A NEW PARTY.
"You will soon find that my assertion was based on absolute knowledge,
for your nomination will be unanimous," Nevins declares to Trueman as
they sit in private conference, on the eve of the Independence Party's
convention.
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